Every child of God experiences the goodness of the Lord. Some refer to it as blessings, but in reality it's His Daily Favor and that's why I created this website.
Spend quality time learning and studying about the favor of God. Check out the current trending favored article(s) on the right, or the top interests of fellow believers under the most popular read posts. Subject, musical artists or author word searches are listed at the bottom of this site.
Use the Bible study topics from the topical word search for small group or individual spiritual growth.
Browse through the hundreds of articles and read more about how you too can live in the Favor of God. (Click here: Tell Me)
Follow Fay on social media or her other blogs, and share these articles of faith with someone today!
Until next time, Favored Christmas Blessings
View Christmas Music & Movie "Favor" - ites on my Facebook page.
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway. ImageCreative Common License if not specified.
Teaching Series, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Merry Christmas from Daily Favor. Where Faith and Favor Meet, Holidays, Christmas
Well,
maybe it’s not exactly one like he spoke of in Romans 7 where he continued to
do things he didn’t want to do, but it sort of went against my character of not
putting myself into certain situations if I can help it.
For
example, the very thing I don’t like to do I found myself doing … grocery
shopping on a Saturday morning!Contrary
to what I wanted, we had to make the trek and changed our plans.Bundling in layers of clothing we cranked up
the car heater and headed off to the store.
It
was bitter cold out so my husband insisted on dropping me off at the door in
front of the store before circling around to find parking. We agreed that I would sit on a bench near the
restrooms and wait for him.
Busy, Busy, Busy
Serpentining through the crowd I walked toward the bench, and for reasons which only God
knows, I started talking out loud.
“Wow, why is it so packed here? The place is so busy!”
A
worker who happened to be walking by answered, “It’s the third … social security checks were issued.”Not expecting anyone to actually respond I
said, “Oh.”
Locating
the bench near the rest rooms, I was surprised that no one was sitting on it,
especially due to the amount of people in the store.I settled in and took a quick look in all
directions to see what was happening.
“Ooops … that can’t be
good.”This time I was only thinking it as the
store went dark losing power three times!Suppose it was from all the money they were
making at the checkouts that the computers couldn’t keep up with it?I guess we’ll never know.We did see several armored vans and police
cars out front … hmm.
Shutting
Out Christmas
To
my right was a small rectangular table with a stack of forms and a laptop
computer.A well-dressed woman from the
Medicare office (an insurance company selling supplement policies) was situated
behind it in anticipation of a prospective new client.
Shortly
after a middle-aged lady looking disheveled and weary, approached her area with
a few questions confessing that she was almost in tears when Facebook shut down
for several hours.Her life was getting
too complicated and insurance was the last thing she wanted to discuss.
The
agent and the customer struck up a conversation based on the fact that they
were both 57 years old and had husbands that needed surgery. Neither of them
looked their age; one looked younger the other much older. You can probably guess which was which.
Not
that I was eavesdropping, but it was impossible not to hear the conversation
with sitting only a few feet away from the impromptu station. Turning my body
sideways away from them, I kept looking around the room so it didn’t appear I
was tuned in to what was being said.Frankly I doubt the customer even noticed anyone else, because of her
one-on-one attentive audience.
Back
and forth the two ladies debated about the insurance policies and their
families.However, the saleswoman
couldn't get a word in edgewise that her husband needed his arm “rebuilt” and
she never got to explain what that meant either. Every time the Medicare agent’s
mouth opened the woman standing went into a tailspin over her home life
situation turning the conversation back to her.
Patiently
the insurance lady sat there and let the woman spill everything that was on her
mind about her family.Her point was
made clear … she had basically shut out Christmas and everything else.
No Time for Christmas
Her
voice heightened, repeating the conversation she told her grown children
earlier that day.
“There will
be no holiday, because I don’t have the time.
Come get
your gifts and leave because I can't take care
you and your
father. I don’t have time to do Christmas.”
Oh
my … the turmoil that she must be dealing with in making decisions and trying
to please everyone.Unlike Christians, “Christmas”
as the world knows it isn’t a time of comfort and joy, or peace that the angels
proclaimed with the birth of the Savior Jesus despite the complications in life.At least it wasn’t for her family this year.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14 KNV)
Had
she ever experienced Emmanuel – God with her?On the other hand, if she was a child of God had she forgotten that
CHRISTmas is with her ALL the time? Through Him she would have the strength
needed, regardless of whatever day it was?
"Christ is the One who gives me the strength I need to do whatever
I must do." (Philippians 4:13 ERV)
This
Too Shall Pass
Listening
to their conversation I was humbled by the favor of God on my life and the
peace I receive knowing that His grace and mercy encompasses me.For the past month (November) it has been a
revolving door between the hospital and doctor's offices for my husband. Literally we had only four days unscheduled on
the calendar which contributed to not being able to post as usual.
My
husband was placed on a list for emergency surgery and we were preparing for
it.On Tuesday, November 27th
he was in so much pain that he couldn't do anything.
All
the signs pointed toward more kidney stones, but after tests the urologist
couldn't find anything on the x-rays and felt it vital for hubby to have a
CT-scan and undergo immediate surgery. The doctor explained that some of his
medications can affect other organs so he needed answers that only an operation
could provide.
This
meant getting off heart medicine for a short time which wasn't the issue,
giving those nasty three-foot long (not really but he says they feel like it)
Lovenox self-injections were. Not only are they extremely painful but super
expensive as well. Insurance only covers a fraction of the cost and he would
need six of them.
If
the doctor got in there and saw nothing it would all be a waste of money, but
even more it would be putting my husband at an unnecessary risk. The whole
thing was unsettling in my spirit and I felt that rushing this was all getting
ahead of God.Instead, we prayed.We prayed fervently!
God
heard our prayers!Wednesday, the
following day, hubby passed three kidney stones with absolutely no pain! People
had been praying for his health and over our medical expenses (finances). I
would tell you the story about the stones but he won't let me. It's absolutely
hilarious!
Waiting
for A Good Report
With
the situation now changing, neither of us felt right in our spirits about the
surgery even though the doctor still wanted to go through with it based on
hubby's past history. Our next
appointment would reveal the deciding factor. Now we had to wait over the weekend.
Monday
morning after having the CT scan done at the hospital, we met with the
urologist surgeon - or should I say his Nurse Practitioner. All the tests came back with "good
reports" so the surgeon canceled the operation passing the case on to his
co-worker who said with a smile, "See
you in six months!"
While listening to the ladies in the grocery store battle over their husbands
it made me sad and happy at the same time.I wanted each of them to hear good reports as well, but sensed that they
weren’t counting on it.
I
was so happy to have heard a good report for my husband, but sad that neither
of them made room for "Christ-mas" to work in their lives. The
events, circumstances, situations and issues of life caused them to shut out
Christmas, the very thing they needed to help get through it all. Did they even
know that “Christ”-mas favor was available to them for the asking?
Angels
Declare Peace
Earlier
we looked at a verse in Luke 2 from the King James translation.I’d like for us to re-examine that passage to
help us understand why favor is a part of Christmas that shouldn’t be shut
out of the celebration.
If
we read Luke 2:14 from the Amplified translation, which is claimed to be the
closest to literal Hebrew or Greek, we can see that there is a greater promise
to those who choose to believe that Jesus is God’s Son.
“Glory to God in the highest [Heaven], and on
earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His
favor]. (Luke 2:14 AMPC)
When
the angels made this declaration, they weren’t referring to physical peace on
earth between the race of man, but rather a spiritual peace.The peace they were declaring was that
through Jesus, salvation had come to earth for those who believe in the Son of
God.Only through Him would there be peace
between God and mankind.
“For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He
united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He
broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.
He did this by ending the system of law with its
commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by
creating
in Himself one new people from the two groups."
(Ephesians 2:14-15NLT)
Good
will, eudokia in Greek (pronounced yoo-dok-ee’-ah)
means God’s good pleasure.It is His
good pleasure to give favor because of His delight, happiness in the
relationship He has with man/woman.
The
birth of Jesus brought happiness to God because through His Son redemption was
being satisfied so mankind could be reconciled back to Him.Can you imagine this?How do you feel when your family relationships
are thriving and in right standing?Good
… right?
As
His children are redeemed back into His Kingdom through salvation, peace is restored between God
and His creation in whom He gives free favor, grace from and over sin and
death.
“And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human,
incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us;
and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only
begotten Son receives from His father, full of grace
(favor, loving-kindness)
and truth.”
(John 1:14
AMPC)
Christmas
Favor is on Earth
What
the angels were proclaiming was essentially Christmas Favor has come to earth
in flesh form through Jesus, the Christ the Anointed child.When Jesus was born, the fullness of grace
(favor, truth and love) became fixed in our lives as it was from the beginning
of Creation.
“Glory to God in the highest [Heaven], and on
earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His
favor]. (Luke 2:14 AMPC)
Good
will favor from God requires something to be done by faith alone in The
Messiah.God’s good pleasure or good
will isn’t available to an unbeliever, so peace will never be a part of their
lives.It can’t be because Jesus is the
Prince of Peace and without Him there will never be peace with God.
For
us to not make time for Christmas based on circumstances (no matter what they
are) is really removing peace, favor and mercy from our lives.
All
Our Troubles
Preparing
for any holiday can be taxing on emotions, with making sure everything
falls into place. Friends, I know it can
be difficult, even seem impossible, but the last thing we need to do is cross Christmas
(the real reason for celebrating) off our to-do lists.
Understanding that finding favor from the Lord is something we need daily and
is important if our prayers are to be answered. My husband and I didn't start
praying when his pain began, but fellowship with the Lord daily.We make time for Christ-mas (Christ the
Messiah who saves, heals and delivers) each day through joint prayer, biblical study
and worship.
When
believers include Christ in their lives, God equips them with what is needed for
the time at hand.It may not be easy,
but He is always there to help us as we go through the “storms” that come with
living.
The
Bible tells us that when a believer cries out to the Lord, He hears us and
delivers us from all our troubles (Psalm 34:4-5). When my Pastor quotes that
verse, he poses it like this:
Pastor:
How many?
Congregation:
All.
Pastor:
Some?
Congregation:
All.
Pastor:
A few.
Congregation:
All.
Pastor:
All our troubles.
Our
Christmas Challenge:
Make Time for Christmas
There’s
no denying that we love all the holiday lights, music, decorations, and home coming celebrations
that add to our joy of the season. Yet as the events and festivities rush
through our day, don’t forget to make time for the Who in Christmas – Jesus.
Those
ladies in the store found it easy to share their burdens with one another, but
found no real peace, comfort or answers when their conversation ended.They weren’t looking for a Savior that was
born in Bethlehem, but their hope was in doctors or something else.
What
are you facing right now? Instead of shutting out Christ making no time for
Christmas, call out to Him.
The Deliverer has already come and conquered any problem you will ever face. When things start to get busy, stop and remember you are surrounded by God's grace, mercy and favor. As His child these blessings are with you all year round not only at Christmas, but because of Christmas!
God
sent a Messiah, His name is Christ-mas (Christ the Anointed Messiah - He redeems,
saves) to deliver us from the works of the enemy.It is His good pleasure that you live in
peace, joy and love through the gift of grace and favor.
“Glory to God in the highest [Heaven], and on
earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His
favor]. (Luke 2:14 AMPC)
Maybe
you don’t know the Living God that I know but would like to have this kind of
favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information
on becoming a child of the Savior.
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Note:
Emphasis may be given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and
is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.
When
used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we
give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental
or physical issues but is geared toward spiritual awareness.
Content
and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer
Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Unless
noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible
Version provided by Bible Gateway. Image
credit: CustomerCrowdNo ChristmasPeace Angel Creative Common License if not specified.
News
from Fay, Where Faith and Favor Meet
Labels: Angels, Birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas Challenge, Daily Favor Blog, Evangelism, Favored1, Glad Tidings, Holidays, No Time for Christmas, Salvation, Tidings of Great Joy, Weekly Challenge.
Every child of God experiences the goodness of the Lord. Some refer to it as blessings, but in reality it's His Daily Favor and that's why I created this website.
Spend quality time learning and studying about the favor of God. Check out the current trending favored article(s) on the right, or the top interests of fellow believers under the most popular read posts. Subject, musical artists or author word searches are listed at the bottom of this site.
Use the Bible study topics from the topical word search for small group or individual spiritual growth.
Browse through the hundreds of articles and read more about how you too can live in the Favor of God. (Click here: Tell Me)
Follow Fay on social media or her other blogs, and share these articles of faith with someone today!
Until next time, Favored Blessings
View Christmas Music & Movie "Favor" - ites on my Facebook page.
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Unless noted, scripture reference in series was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway. ImageCreative Common License if not specified.
Teaching Series, Daily Favor Blog, Favored1, Merry Christmas from Daily Favor. Where Faith and Favor Meet, Holidays, Christmas
